“Human Rights in Complex Situations” – Sri Lanka as a Case Study for the CBi Network

The Connecting Business Initiative (CBi) together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) recently conducted a webinar within its regional network highlighting the theme of “Human Rights in Complex Situations.” A-PAD Sri Lanka, CBi’s local representative was invited to share best practices and lessons with partnering networks. Mr. Firzan Hashim, Country Director of A-PAD SL spoke focusing on the conflict period of Sri Lanka where response and relief missions met with obstacles of different capacities.
A few salient topics being shared were:

• Right to shelter and the implications caused to private sector contributors in assistance
• Access to communication and risks involved for telecommunication providers in ensuring client services without interruption
• Ensuring food security and easing logistics
• Going beyond traditional ways of market supply